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| Seyyid Said (1790–1856) |
EAST AFRICA UNDER THE OMAN ARABS 1840's
The Oman Arabs helped East Africans to defeat Portuguese along the coastal in 1698. Oman now became rulers. Therefore people of East Africa were not free apart from defeating the Portuguese.
By the1741 Mombasa established her independence chief domain (The independence Sheikh Don) under Mazmi family, this was an order from Arabs family of Oman in origin the Mazmi family was conquered by Sultan Seyyid Said of Oman. From 1840 onwards, Sultan Seyyid Said becomes the master and ruler of the East African coast until the period of colonialism.
REASONS/FACTORS/MOTIVES/AIMS OF OMAN ARABS IN EAST AFRICA.
The following were the factors for sultan Seyyid Said to shift his capital from Muscat Oman to Zanzibar in 1840.
1. Good climatic condition in Zanzibar: There is abundant fresh coastal climate which pported the settlement of Arabs.
2. Presence of good fertile soil: This fertile land supported the establishment of agriculture especially clove and coconut plantations.
3. Presence of deep natural harbour in Zanzibar: This good natural habour supported the importation and exportation of goods.
4. Trading motives: Seyyid Said attracted and bevome much interested to control trade along the east Afeican coast through Indian Ocean trade.
5. Availability of enough fresh water: The cheap supply of fresh water in Zanzibar supported irrigation activities and sailing.
6. To avoid socio-political conflict: Historically Seyyid Said he escaped conflict from his home (Muscat) after killing his brother Imam said due to leadership related issues, hence he come to zanzibar as technique of seaching for refuge.
7. To spread Islamic religion: Seyyid Said and other Oman Arabs become much interested with spreading of Islam and stop the spread of Christianity in east Africa by the Portuguese.
IMPACTS OF OMAN ARABS (SULTAN) NOMINATION IN EAST AFRICA
A: ECONOMIC IMPACTS
1. Increase of slave trade.
2. Land alienation.
3. East African people were exposed to international trade.
4. The expansion of trade.
5. Introduction of new cash crops example; coconut and cloves.
6. Establishment of feudalism where African become serfs and tenants
7. Exploitation of African resources.
B: SOCIAL IMPACTS
1. Death due to resistance against the Arabs
2. Spread of Swahili language.
3. Addition of Arabic words into Swahili language.
4. Spread of Islamic religion.
5. Much suffering of people due to slavery activities.
